Container unloading apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for unloading packages, parcels, postal items, baggage, etc., from a container having an open side. The apparatus has a sliding wall that is disposed over the open side of the container when the container is receiving within the apparatus. The apparatus, along with the container, is tilted such that the open side of the container is generally directed downward. From this tilted orientation, the sliding wall of the apparatus is withdrawn, incrementally exposing the open side of the container, permitting the controlled egress of the packages, etc., from the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for unloading a container having at least one open side, the apparatus comprising: 
       a base frame;  
       a carriage rotatably mounted to said base frame and configured to receive said container, the carriage comprising a slidable wall portion for positioning adjacent to said open side of said container, wherein the carriage is configured to rotate relative to said base frame sufficient to orient said open side of said container in a generally downward orientation with said container retained within said carriage,  
       said slidable wall portion being slidable relative to said carriage to increasingly remove any obstruction between said open side of said container and a conveyor, said slidable wall portion comprising an integral angularly disposed end for gradually guiding contents of said container out of said container and onto the conveyor.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said carriage is connected to said base frame by at least one pivot. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said carriage is connected to said base frame at least one pivot by at least one pivot arm, thereby spacing said carriage from an axis of rotation of said at least one pivot. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , said apparatus further comprising a drive mechanism coupled to said slidable wall portion, wherein said drive mechanism is configured to slide said slidable wall portion relative to said carriage. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises a worm drive. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the carriage further comprises a ceiling member and an opposed floor member, wherein said ceiling member is spaced from said floor member to constrain said container against motion therebetween. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said floor member comprises a solid surface. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said ceiling member comprises a grate. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , said base frame comprising at least one support post, wherein said carriage is at least partially supported by said support post when said carriage is in a rotated configuration.